The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. (Psalm 29:5, 6 NIV)
Have you ever been part of a cardio class? It usually looks a lot more fun than it feels! You can tell just by watching the participants. They may be dancing, but their expressions don't look as joyful as their movements. Their expressions are often downright grim.
I once (a LONG time ago) participated in a class that had us all wearing those same grim looks through all the dancing and hopping and running in place. But then the instructor had us skip in a big circle around the room! Did you ever try to NOT smile while you skip? There is a childlike joy in the very action! Most of us were grinning from ear to ear, but amazingly, there were still some who managed to scowl through it.
It kind of reminds me of communion. What could be more joyful than being in the very presence of Christ? And yet mostly I see grim faces. I understand there is a certain amount of solemnity in the occasion. It took the crucifixion to provide this Body and Blood, and our sin makes it necessary. But... the act of taking communion unites us with Christ and forgives our sin... so JOY! JOY! JOY!
So maybe we will never all take communion sporting ear-to-ear grins. But let's at least work on getting rid of the scowl. Or maybe we can talk Pastor Chad into having us all skip up to the altar!
Lord Jesus,
Help us to feel the joy of Your Meal when we partake. Amen.
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